Extreme cold, icy waters, towering glaciers, icebergs, winds howling at over 120mph and wild animals prowling the frozen shores, these are just a few of the challenges Alban Michon and Vincent Berthet faced on their epic 600 mile kayak trip along the eastern coast of Greenland.
The entirety of their two-month journey navigating the planet’s largest fjord system before time ran out and the polar night descended was captured in the documentary Le Piège Blanc and it is well worth the watch:
“In August 2012, explorer Alban Michon and scientist Vincent Berthet embarked on an extreme and fascinating adventure: kayaking along the East Greenland coast braving the elements to live their passion.”
The Ultimate Challenge
With nearest human hundreds of miles away and temperatures can drop to -50°C, bobbing along in a kayak surrounded by icebergs and jagged coasts is dangerous to say the lease. Any damage to a kayak in this uninhabited wilderness could be fatal. With rescue out of the question, survival depends on skill and preparation against relentless winds and the occasional prowling polar bear. Every day on the water pushed Alban and Vincent’s skills and resistance to limit. .
Triumph Over Adversity
Partway through the expedition, the duo hit a critical snag, the bow of one kayak took damage. In the Arctic’s harsh conditions, a cracked hull could have spelled disaster but Alban and Vincent were prepared and after an emergency stop for a quick repair they were ready to press on through the icy fjords and stunning landscapes that define Greenland’s east coast.
Why Greenland?
For kayakers, Greenland’s eastern coast is the ultimate proving ground. It’s not just the raw beauty of the place, it’s the sheer scale of the challenge. Alban and Vincent’s journey wasn’t about just covering distance; it was about mastering one of the planet’s most extreme environments. Their story shows what’s possible with preparation and loads of good old fashioned grit. From battling ferocious winds to threading through ice-choked waters, they proved that Greenland’s wildest corners can be conquered.
Related: Massive Iceberg Barrel Rolls In Front of Remote Greenland Village
